A group of senior citizens living at Tapestry in downtown Victoria have been doing some inspiring work recently to raise money for a wide variety of charities.
Back in the summer of 2022, residents at Tapestry joined with most of the civilized world to recoil at the brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Knowing that Russia’s actions had already resulted in refugees coming to Canada to escape the brutality at home, the residents decided to act.
Four Tapestry residents (Angie Chan, Helen Van Alstine, Pat Montgomery and Don Ross) spent weeks completing a quilt they called ‘Patchwork of the Heart.’ They sold raffle tickets for that quilt and raised upwards of $20,000 which was then donated to help recently arrived Ukrainian refugees.
“I happened to have the winning ticket for the quilt,” said Ross. “It was so embarrassing. But I donated it (the quilt) to the Ukrainian Cultural Centre, and it now hangs in their gift shop.”
In another initiative, the residents of Tapestry enrolled the assistance of the staff to raise money for the Victoria Women’s Transition House. That organization operates facilities and programs to assist women and children who are the victims of domestic violence.
“We had a raffle where we auctioned off several staff members here. If you needed your carpet cleaned or windows washed and managed to win one of the staff for the day, they would do it for you,” said Mimi Vandermolen, one of the social committee members who organized the event. “We even had a chef from the facility on auction and he would cook special meals. It was a lot of fun.”
Most recently, the Tapestry group strapped on their sneakers to participate in the Fathers’ Day Walk/Run to raise money for cancer research for prostate cancer. That effort raised more than $3,000 for the cause.
Of course, the list goes on. This spectacular group of seniors has raised money for Mustard Seed, local hospice and much more. And they’re currently meeting to decide on their next big fundraiser.
Don Ross is 90 years of age right now and his background certainly gave him an idea of what can be accomplished through hard work and perseverance.
“I retired when I was 69. I’d started out working for Air Canada as a ramp rat (ramp agent) and worked my way up to be the airport manager at Winnipeg International,” Ross said.
When he retired, Ross went back to work for Air Ontario out of Toronto for another 11 years.
“There’s a sense of satisfaction in giving back to the community. That’s why we do these things. It’s part of being a good neighbour,” Ross said.
Asked about the fact that people seem surprised that the elderly might be actively involved in community project, Ross was philosophic.
“I took part in the Fathers’ Day Run/Walk. I didn’t pass anyone, but I did it. Truthfully, it’s irritating when people think that because you’re old you’re not capable of doing anything. It’s a pain in the ass.”
Mimi Vandermolen is another of the group organizing fundraising events.
At 77 years of age, she’s a relative newcomer to Tapestry, moving to Victoria after losing her home in California to wildfires.
Her background was in Michigan, where, as a designer for the Ford Motor Company, she was on the design team that created the Ford Mustang, the original Taurus and the Lincoln Continental.
“We’re not a bunch of sad, lonely people just sitting and staring off into space. Residents here golf, play pickleball, go kayaking … even skydiving,” said Vandermolen.
“I don’t like to use the term old age. But sometimes you begin to feel you’re invisible. People don’t notice you and assume you’re not capable. Believe me, these people have a lot of capacity … brain power. And it’s a crime that they’re underestimated because they have so much to give back.”
Pat Pederson is also an active member of the social committee at Tapestry.
She worked as a registered nurse and, at the age of 59, moved on to working as a volunteer with a prostate centre, so her participation in promoting the Fathers’ Day Run/Walk was a natural fit.
“Years ago, it used to be said that ‘children should be seen and not heard.’ These days it seems that it’s changed to where a lot of people think it’s seniors who shouldn’t be heard. That’s a huge mistake,” said Pederson.
She described herself as someone who doesn’t like to sit around.
“I’m always looking for the next adventure. We’re already looking for our next fundraiser so we can keep giving back to the community. Never forget that we’re people with backgrounds that have given us knowledge and we’re willing to share that knowledge.”
It may be that the person who most recognizes the enormous talents and abilities of the folks at Tapestry is Amber Reis, the general manager at Tapestry.
Lovingly and jokingly referred to as the “Warden” by some of the residents, she said that it shouldn’t be surprising that the residents are doing great things for the community.
“The perception about the elderly is very misleading,” Reis said.
“These residents have a level of talent, commitment and engagement that is just spectacular. They run this show and, as they contribute to the community, they have a blast doing it. And while they’re at it, they’re breaking that ageist stereotype in their own special way.”
So maybe that’s the real story here.
It’s not that these folks have managed to raise money for community causes. It may be that anyone is surprised that they have.